Chase Garbers to remain Cal’s starting QB

Head coach Justin Wilcox removed any remaining suspense about Cal’s quarterback situation Monday night, saying Chase Garbers will start and Brandon McIlwain will continue to offer a change of pace at the position Saturday against FCS opponent Idaho State.

Last week, Wilcox waited until minutes before the kickoff at BYU to announce that Garbers would make his first collegiate start. The week prior, in the season opener, Ross Bowers started and played six possessions before sitting out the second half.

Both approaches resulted in victories, despite somewhat middling quarterback play. But Cal’s 21-18 win at BYU — in which Garbers and McIlwain were used in a tag-team effort — showed more promise.

The three-quarterback carousel combined to go 16-for-32 for 119 yards in Week 1, leading an offense that scored 17 points, averaged 3.4 yards per play and went 4-for-17 on third-down conversions.

In Week 2, Garbers started all but two drives, generally giving way to McIlwain’s run-heavy package in the middle of the field. The two combined to go 23-for-35 for 214 yards against BYU, operating an offense that scored 21 points, averaged 5.5 yards per play and went 8-for-15 on third-down conversions.

California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) passes the ball against BYU during the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) passes the ball against BYU during the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

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California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) passes the ball against BYU during the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) passes the ball against BYU during the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

Chase Garbers to remain Cal’s starting QB

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Garbers, a redshirt freshman, and McIlwain, a transfer from South Carolina, were especially effective on the ground — racking up 119 yards on 21 carries.

“I think it helps our team,” Wilcox said of the quarterbacks’ ability to run. “I know being on the defensive side of it, it creates some issues in how you want to fit the runs with the quarterback involved and if you’re going to essentially use every defender in the run defense.”

Bowers, who made 13 consecutive starts before sitting out at BYU, completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,039 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. But the incumbent hasn’t shown the mobility necessary for an offense that is trending toward more zone-read and run-pass-option plays.

The scrambling of Garbers and power running of McIlwain caused BYU to devote more defenders to stopping the ground game and opened up holes in the secondary, including a 52-yard touchdown from Garbers to Kanawai Noa.

“I think they both did a good job. Brandon did well in the run game, kind of like a miniature wildcat. Chase connected his balls. It was very good for us,” said Noa, whose numbers bumped from three catches and 15 yards in the first game to seven catches and 93 yards in Week 2. “… As of right now, it’s working. Until it’s stopped, it’s working out for us.”

Tackle, talk, repeat: Junior inside linebacker Evan Weaver is third in the Pac-12 in tackles (26) and tied for fourth in pass breakups (three), and against BYU, he seemed to be telling anyone who would listen about his stat-compiling.

“He’s a tough guy, man,” Wilcox said. “Weaves is a throwback. He loves playing. He loves contact. Every time the ball is snapped, it’s his intention to make the tackle. It’s not, ‘I fit up my guy, and where’s my help?’ He’s trying to make every tackle. That’s awesome. You love that about him.”

Yeah, but who’s he talking to?

“I think he’s usually talking to himself,” Wilcox joked. “… I love it. We always talk about it: As defenders, you should be annoying with how much you communicate. You don’t take anything for granted, whether it’s fourth down or where the back is set or the personnel in the game. You love that. You want to be annoying with how much you communicate on defense.

“He does that.”

Or as defensive lineman Tevin Paul said of Weaver: “As you know, his personality matches how he plays. He’s a crazy man.”